- May 6, 2024
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The city’s running series will provide runners with organized races, starting in October.
During the school year, Danny Weed is helping high school runners develop their skills and contend for victories at Matanzas High School.
When he’s away from the track at Matanzas, though, he is training to improve his own times as a competitive runner.
Weed, 40, ran the Jacksonville Marathon in 2009, and qualified and ran the Boston Marathon earlier this year.
When he found out that the city is hoping to compile a running series, he thought it was a great idea. Though it won’t help with any of the high-school runners, it will still bring recognition to the city and county. It will help with his times, too.
“As far as the community, I think it’s great because Flagler is getting to be known as a running community,” Weed said. “And with all the beautiful trails and areas to run, it’s growing even more.”
Weed, who has lived in the county for 10 years, said he enjoys the Lehigh Trail and Linear Park Trail. He runs the trails from time to time with fellow runner, Joe Matuszczak.
Matuszczak is a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School and Stetson University. He recently was named head coach for Stetson’s cross-country team.
“I think (the running series) is awesome,” Matuszczak said. He and his brother, Danny, began FL.ROC, a company that hosts unconvential 5K races that include several obstacles.
“It’s a cool thing to have a series,” he said. “There are people who are in Flagler County who go somewhere else to run ... For Flagler residents, I think it’s awesome.”
Lisa Gardner, events coordinator for the city of Palm Coast, confirmed that the series will take place, though not all of the races are finalized.
The first race will be Oct. 27, a 5K in conjunction with Florida Hospital Flagler.
Gardner said that race will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a dinner at Woody’s Bar-B-Q when the race is over.
The proceeds from this event will benefit breast-cancer awareness.
The city also hopes to have a Thanksgiving Day race this year, followed by the second installment of the Palm Coast Half Marathon, which will take place Jan. 15, with the route similar to last year’s.
Matuszczak, along with Weed, are currently training for the Jacksonville Marathon. Matuszczak said he logged 57 miles last week and will peak at about 90 miles in one week during the 21-week training regimen.
“It’s a journey,” he said.
The running series in town will mostly be 5K and 10K races.
No matter the distance, though, Matuszczak said the beauty of running is that it is just one foot in front of the other.
“It literally stinks at first,” he said. “If you can get through the first couple of weeks or months, though, you’ll really enjoy what it can do for (your health), socially and physically.”
Weed agrees.
“Definitely go slow,” Weed said as advice for people who are interested in getting into running.
“Definitely start off with low mileage, work yourself up to the mileage and take your time,” he said.
Matuszczak and Weed are training to finish the Jacksonville Marathon — which takes place Dec. 17, in Jacksonville — around the same time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.
And, as Matuszczak said: “Have fun doing it.”
RUNNING SERIES 2011-2012
Oct. 27, 2011: A 5K race will support breast-cancer awareness.
Nov. 24, 2011: The Thanksgiving Day race will include a 5K and a 15K.
Jan. 15, 2012: The Palm Coast Half Marathon’s route will be similar to last year’s event.
March 3, 2012: The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliate will host its annual Run for your Life 5K and 10K.
May 5, 2012: Palm Coast’s Arbor Day 5K will be at Central Park in Town Center.
July 4, 2012: A beach run will be in conjunction with FL.ROC.
July 14, 2012: The run along the Palm Harbor Golf Course will have two-mile and four-mile routes.
Sept. 3, 2012: Take a run on Labor Day.
Contact Andrew O’Brien at [email protected].
